Dear readers,
Another arthropod genome (or three) is described here,
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/327/5963/343
Functional and Evolutionary Insights from the Genomes of Three Parasitoid Nasonia Species
The Nasonia Genome Working Group
Science 15 January 2010: Vol. 327. no. 5963, pp. 343 - 348 DOI: 10.1126/science.1178028
We report here genome sequences and comparative analyses of three
closely related parasitoid wasps: Nasonia vitripennis, N.
giraulti, and N. longicornis. Parasitoids are important
regulators of arthropod populations, including major agricultural
pests and disease vectors, and Nasonia is an emerging genetic
model, particularly for evolutionary and developmental genetics.
Key findings include the identification of a functional DNA
methylation tool kit; hymenopteran-specific genes including
diverse venoms; lateral gene transfers among Pox viruses,
Wolbachia, and Nasonia; and the rapid evolution of genes involved
in nuclear-mitochondrial interactions that are implicated in
speciation. Newly developed genome resources advance Nasonia for
genetic research, accelerate mapping and cloning of quantitative
trait loci, and will ultimately provide tools and knowledge for
further increasing the utility of parasitoids as pest
insect-control agents.
[PS,
Science's News item on Nasonia genome is interesting, and about as long as the
genome paper; there are lots of details in the genome paper supplement. -- Don ]
-- d.gilbert--bioinformatics--indiana-u--bloomington-in-47405
-- gilbertd from indiana.edu--http://marmot.bio.indiana.edu/